Drapery tie back device

ABSTRACT

A concealed drapery tie-back device comprising a generally Ushaped member having a pair of support arms connected by a cross member, the support arms having mounting ears formed thereon forming a planar surface for engagement with a drapery wall. A cross-bar is connected between the arms at a location off-set from said cross member toward said ears, the cross-bar is provided with a hole for receiving a split ring for securing of the tie-back cord to the tie-back device. The cross-member is disposed within the first pleat of a drape to position the drape and to support said pleat. The distance between said cross-bar and cross member provides sufficient space to accommodate the pleats of the drape without crushing of said pleats in a direction toward said drape wall.

United States Patent 1 Kaminski 1 Feb. 18, 1975 DRAPERY TIE BACK DEVICE[76] Inventor: Floyd Kaminski, 8327 S. Kedvale,

Chicago, 111. 60652 [22] Filed: July 19, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 380,576

[52] US. Cl. .1 160/349 D, 211/87 [51] Int. Cl A47h 1/00 [58] Field ofSearch 211/87, 105.2; 160/349 D,

2,584,224 2/1952 Pfaffko 160/349 D Primary Examiner Ramon S. Britts IAttorney, Agent, or Firm-Marden S. Gordon -[57] ABSTRACT A concealeddrapery tie-back device comprising a generally U-shaped member having apair of support arms connected by a cross member, the support armshaving mounting ears formed thereon forming a p1anar surface forengagement with a drapery wall, A cross-bar is connected between thearms at a location off-set from said cross member toward said ears, thecross-bar is provided with a hole for receiving a split ring forsecuring of the tie-back cord to the tie-back device. The cross-memberis disposed within the first pleat of a drape to position the drape andto support said pleat. The distance between said cross-bar and crossmember provides sufficient space to accommodate the pleats of the drapewithout crushing of said pleats in a direction toward said drape wall.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures l DRAPERY TIE BACK DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates generally to a type of drapery tie-backdevice or support which is adapted to position one edge of the drape sothat the edge will hang straight in a vertical sense when the drape istied back with a tie-back cord and is invisible, being mounted behindthe drape. The device is optionally constructed in two pieces having anadjustable relationship therebetween to accomodate varying depths ofpleats.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART At the present time, many homes aredecoratedutilizing drapes of the type adapted to be tied back at theouter edges to create a decorative appearance. A problem which hasexisted with known tie-back structures is that the first pleat or thepleat adjacent the ends may be distorted and not hang straight under thepressure exerted by a tie-back cord. A further problem in known type ofstructures is that the tie-back structure in most cases does not spacethe drape out from the underlying curtain or inner drape therebyallowing interference of the closable curtain or inner drape with thedecorative drape.

In addition devices of a type similar to the present invention whichprovide invisible support for a tie-back cord do not provide for anadjustment for varying depths of pleats which limits the usefulness ofthe prior art devices. In addition the prior art devices do not providefor a variable position of the ring or other mechanism to which thetie-back cord is to be tied to provide for varying effects by changingthe position of one end of the tie-back cord relative to the drape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is designated to overcomethe above noted limitations and disadvantages of known types of draperytie-back devices by providing a novel tie-back support structure whichmay be conveniently sold in a transparent package to the general publicand which may be easily installed by the homeowner to provide for thedecorative effect of swag-type to tie-back type drapes while at the sametime keeping the cost of same to a minimum.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a tie-back supportwhich is invisible, being disposed within the first pleat at the edge ofthe drape to prevent distortion of the edge of the drape in a verticalsense when the tie-back cord is in place and in essence to set the firstpleat of the drape.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide for a spacebetween the securing point for the tieback cord to the device and theportion of the device which engages the drape at the outer portion of apleat to provide space to accomodate the pleats between the tie-backcord on the front and back side of the drape to prevent crushing of thepleats of the drape.

A further feature of the present invention is to provide a two-piecetype of construction of the device wherein the position of the portionof the device engaging the drape may be varied with respect to the wallmounting portion of the device to accomodate pleats of varying depths.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of the meansfor securing the tie-back cord to the tie-back device being displacedfrom the drapery wall when the device is in position whereby the supportin combination with the tie-back cord will position the decorativeswag-type drape from the wall to prevent interference between theswag-type drape and the movable inner-drape or curtain.

A further feature of the present invention is the provision of aplurality of locations at which the tie-back cord can be secured to thedevice to provide for varying decorative effects of the drape by varyingthe position of one end of the tie-back cord with respect to the drape.

The provision of a drapery tie-back device such as briefly outlinedabove and possessing the stated advantages, constitutes the principlefeature of the present invention. The provision of a device as describedabove which is extremely simple in construction and therefore economicalto manufacture; one which is adaptable to varying requirements due todiffering widths of pleats of the drape to be used with the presentinvention and different decorative effects which may be desired; onewhich may be conveniently packaged in a transparent package for mountingon a display board for sale to the general public; and one which may beconveniently and easily installed by the homeowner are further desirablefeatures which have been borne in mind in the production and developmentof the present invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will become apparentfrom the description which follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming apart of the specification, and in which like reference characters areemployed to designate like parts of the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, packaged for saleto the public and mounted on a display board;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the device of the present inventionmounted behind a drape and having the tie-back cord secured thereto;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device of the present inventionmounted to a drapery wall;

FIG. 4 is a modified form of the present invention showing a two-piececonstruction wherein the effective length of the device with respect tothe drapery wall may be varied; I

FIG. 5 is a further modified form of the invention showing a two-piececonstruction wherein a friction fit is used to secure the two piecestogether;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken :along the lines 66 of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a further modified form of the present invention showing atwo-piece construction wherein the means to variably secure the twopieces together comprises a setscrew arrangement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3 adrapery tie-back support or device 10 is illustrated which is adapted tobe attached to a wall 12 having a window 14 therein with a drape 16 ofthe swag or decorative type hung to cover the edge of the window 14.

Referring more particularly to the tie-back device or support 10, asillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, it will be seen that device 10 isgenerally a U-shaped onepiece structure comprised of a pair of supportarms 18 connected by a cross-member 20. Extending at right angles fromeach of the support arms 18 are mounting ears 22 which each have a hole24 therethrough for mounting of device to the wall. As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 4, the ears 22 have a flat mounting face 26 thereon forengagement with wall 12. The two faces 26 lie in a common flat plane.

A cross-bar 28 is provided which is attached to each of the support arms18. Cross-bar 28 has a hole 30 pierced through the center thereof whichis adapted to receive a split-ring 32. Holes 34 are provided in each ofthe support arms 18 to which the split ring 32 may be attached ifdesired. Referring to FIG. 2, a drapery tie-back cord 36 is illustratedwhich is attached at one end to the split ring 32 and at the other endto a visible wall fixture 38.

As seen in FIG. 2, the tie-back cord surrounds drape l6, pulling in themid-section thereof to give a decorative or swag-type effect. It will beseen that by attaching the split ring in one of the holes 34 rather thanhole 30, a different type of decorative effect may be produced since thelocation of the end of cord 36 at the split ring 32 with respect to theend at fixture 38 would be displaced as compared to the position of theends of the cord 36 as illustrated in FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 3, the cross-bar 28 of device 10 is displaced fromcross-member a predetermined distance indicated as X" and the cross-bar28 is displaced from the cars 22 of support arms 18 a predetermineddistance Y for reasons to be discussed.

The distance X defines the space which will exist between the invisiblepart of cord 36 or the part behind drape 16 and the visible part of thecord or the part along the front of drape 16. It will be apparent thenthat the distance X defines a space which will prevent the cord 36 fromcrushing or deforming the pleats of the drape.

The distance y is in effect the distance between the cross-bar 28 andthe wall 12. The distance y represents then the distance thatthe device10 will create between the inner side of drape l6 and wall 12. Thisoffset or holding out of drape 16 from the wall will preventinterference between the drape 10 and any inner drape or curtain whichmay be movable to open or close same.

The device 10 being of a one-piece construction, it will be obvious thatsame can be made by a one-piece die casting of metallic material, aone-piece molding of plastic material, can be injection molded ofplastic material, or as illustrated, may be fabricated from a tubularmaterial.

Referring to FIG. 1 a display of the tie-back device 10 suitable forsales to the general public is illustrated. The device 10 is shownmounted in a display package 40 comprised of a clear plastic envelope 42enclosed by a cardboard or stiff material cap 44 which is secured to bag42 by staples 46. A hole 48 is pierced through cap 44 for mounting ofthe package on a support post 50 attached to a display board 52. Alsoprovided in the package 40 are a pair of wood screws 52 for use inattaching the mounting cars 22 to a drapery wall.

It will be seen as best illustrated in FIG. 2 that device 10 is adaptedto be mounted to wall 12 behind the drape l6 and will be engaged in thefirst pleat of the drape to set or position the outer edge of the drape.Thus, it will be apparent that the edge of drape 16 will hang straightvertically since the device 10 being mounting within the first pleatwill prevent distortion of the edge due to pressure created by cord 36.

Referring to FIG. 4 a modified form of the invention is shown using atwo-piece construction. The tie-back device 10A is comprised of across-member portion 20A and a support portion 21A. The support portionincludes a pair of hollow support arms 18A connected by a cross-bar 28A.Received within support arms 18A in a telescopic manner, are arms 23Aprovided on the cross-member portion 20A. The arms 18A have holes 25formed therein. A pin 29 extending in a plane at right angles to thegeneral plane of the device 10 is engaged in a pair of holes 25 and 27which will be aligned when a desired position of cross-member portion20A relative to support portion 21A is selected. The pin 29 will thussecure the two portions 20A and 21A in the adjusted position. Thestructure of FIG. 4 thus provides an adjustable device 10A wherein thedistance X may be varied to accomodate varying widths of pleats and toadjust for different distances of the drape 16 from wall 12.

Referring to FIG. 5 a further modified form of the present invention isshown of two-piece construction similar to the structure of FIG. 4. Thetie-back device 108 of FIG. 5 is comprised of a cross-member portion 208and a support portion 218. The support arms 18B are of a rectangularconfiguration as shown in FIG. 6 and are provided with a slot 50. Thecross-member portion 208 has arms 238 which are also rectangular inconfiguration and adapted to fit within hollow support arms 188. Thearms 18B and 23B are designed and sized to create a friction fittherebetween. The slot 50 allows the arms 188 to expand slightly whenthe arms 23B are disposed therein to create a friction fit whereby theposition of cross-member portion 208 may be easily adjusted relative tosupport portion 21B and will be retained in the selected position by thefriction fit.

Referring to FIG. 7 a further embodiment is shown wherein a tie-backdevice 10C is illustrated having a support portion 21C and across-member portion 20C. The arms 23C of cross-member portion 20C arerectangular in configuration with a slot extending along one side ofarms 23C. A set screw 62 is provided extending through each of arms 23Cin engagement with slot 60. As in the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5, arms23C on cross-member portion 20C are telescopically received in arms 18Cso as to provide for an adjustable position of cross-member portion 20C.The set screw 62 may be tightened to secure the cross-member 20C in itsselected position.

It is to be understood that other forms or modifications will becomeapparent of making the device 10 of a two-piece adjustable structureother than those illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 7. Further, it is to beunderstood that various materials such as aluminum, steel or plastic maybe used to construct the modified forms of FIGS. 4 through 7 as with thestructure of FIGS. 1 through 3.

The form of this invention as shown and described is to be taken aspreferred examples of same, and the invention is not to be considered aslimited to the exact arrangements of parts shown in the accompanyingdrawings or described in this specification as various changes in thedetails of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, thescope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the subjoinedclaims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimedl. A draperytie-back device for use with a flexible tie-back cord for a drape tosupport the drapery in folds to one side of an opening, such as a windowopening, with the flexible tie-back cord passed thereabout and with thedrapery pleats projecting in spaced relationship to the surroundingwall, the device comprising, in combination:

a generally U-shaped member having a pair of parallel support armsconnected by a bight forming cross member at one end thereof andextending normal thereto;

a cross bar connected between said support arms at a location offsetinwardly from said cross member and extending parallel to said crossmember;

an opening provided in said cross bar adapted to receive a split-ringelement to which one end of the flexible tie-back cord may be attached;

a pair of identical separate bracket members each having an elongatedhollow leg member open at its front end and closed at its back end witha mounting ear affixed to the closed back end and extending forwardlytherefrom at generally right angles to the axis of said leg member;

said brackets adapted to be mounted to a wall within an end pleat of thedraperies with said mounting ear projecting in an opposite directionfrom each other and with the brackets spaced apart a distancecorresponding to the spacing between said support arms of said U-shapedmember;

said support arms of said U-shaped member adapted to be telescopicallyreceived for sliding movement in associated ones of said leg memberssuch that the cross member is movable selectively as to its distancefrom said mounting ears;

a series of longitudinally spaced apart and aligned openings extendingalong each of said support arms from the cross member to the terminalend thereof;

an opening disposed in each of said leg members of said bracket adjacentthe top open end thereof and oriented therethrough in a manner to bebrought into selective registration with selected ones of said openingsin said support arms when said support arms are telescopically receivedin said brackets;

pin means adapted to pass through said leg member opening and throughthe selected one of said support arm openings in registration therewithto maintain the selected adjustment of said U-shaped member relative tosaid bracket in a manner to accommodate a variety of pleat thicknessesof draperies;

apertures disposed in said leg members adapted for receipt of asplit-ring to which one end of said tie back cord may be secured so thatthe cord may be selectively attached to positions on said bracket legmembers;

the mounting ears of said bracket extending at generally right angles tosaid leg members to provide planar mounting surfaces for engagement withsaid drapery wall;

said cross member adapted to be disposed within a pleat of said draperywith said distance between said cross member and said mounting earsbeing adjusted to provide sufficient space to accommodate varying widthsof pleats of said drape with a minimum of crushing of said drape pleatsin a direction toward said wall by said tie-back cord.

2. A drapery tie-back device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said deviceis manufactured oftubular mettalic material.

3. A drapery tie-back device as claimed in claim it wherein said deviceis manufactured of a rigid plastic

1. A drapery tie-back device for use with a flexible tie-back cord for adrape to support the drapery in folds to one side of an opening, such asa window opening, with the flexible tie-back cord passed thereabout andwith the drapery pleats projecting in spaced relationship to thesurrounding wall, the device comprising, in combination: a generallyU-shaped member having a pair of parallel support arms connected by abight forming cross member at one end thereof and extending normalthereto; a cross bar connected between said support arms at a locationoffset inwardly from said cross member and extending parallel to saidcross member; an opening provided in said cross bar adapted to receive asplit-ring element to which one end of the flexible tie-back cord may beattached; a pair of identical separate bracket members each having anelongated hollow leg member open at its front end and closed at its backend with a mounting ear affixed to the closed back end and extendingforwardly therefrom at generally right angles to the axis of said legmember; said brackets adapted to be mounted to a wall within an endpleat of the draperies with said mounting ear projecting in an oppositedirection from each other and with the brAckets spaced apart a distancecorresponding to the spacing between said support arms of said U-shapedmember; said support arms of said U-shaped member adapted to betelescopically received for sliding movement in associated ones of saidleg members such that the cross member is movable selectively as to itsdistance from said mounting ears; a series of longitudinally spacedapart and aligned openings extending along each of said support armsfrom the cross member to the terminal end thereof; an opening disposedin each of said leg members of said bracket adjacent the top open endthereof and oriented therethrough in a manner to be brought intoselective registration with selected ones of said openings in saidsupport arms when said support arms are telescopically received in saidbrackets; pin means adapted to pass through said leg member opening andthrough the selected one of said support arm openings in registrationtherewith to maintain the selected adjustment of said U-shaped memberrelative to said bracket in a manner to accommodate a variety of pleatthicknesses of draperies; apertures disposed in said leg members adaptedfor receipt of a split-ring to which one end of said tie-back cord maybe secured so that the cord may be selectively attached to positions onsaid bracket leg members; the mounting ears of said bracket extending atgenerally right angles to said leg members to provide planar mountingsurfaces for engagement with said drapery wall; said cross memberadapted to be disposed within a pleat of said drapery with said distancebetween said cross member and said mounting ears being adjusted toprovide sufficient space to accommodate varying widths of pleats of saiddrape with a minimum of crushing of said drape pleats in a directiontoward said wall by said tie-back cord.
 2. A drapery tie-back device asclaimed in claim 1 wherein said device is manufactured of tubularmettalic material.
 3. A drapery tie-back device as claimed in claim 1wherein said device is manufactured of a rigid plastic material.